Women at war: Pentagon is easing its job limits

Deputy Defense Undersecretary for Military Personnel Policy Vee Penrod speaks to reporters at the Pentagon, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, to talk about the results of the department's Women in Service Review. (AP Photo Manuel Balce Ceneta)

WASHINGTON — New orders from the Pentagon: The military on Thursday formally opened thousands of jobs to women in units that are closer to the front lines than ever before, reflecting what's already been going on as female American soldiers fight and die next to their male comrades.

The new rules, affecting thousands of jobs, will break down more of the official barriers that have restricted the military positions women can take. They're being sent to Congress, and if lawmakers take no action after 30 work days the policy will take effect.

The changes still aren't coming fast enough for some in Congress or the military. They noted that the rules still ban women from serving as infantry, armor and special operations forces, which are considered the most dangerous combat jobs.

Instead, they reflect what's been happening for the past 10 years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. They will allow women to perform many of the jobs they are already doing — but in smaller units, closer to the fighting and once considered too dangerous.

"Unfortunately, the conclusions of this report do not go far enough," said Rep. Loretta Sanchez, a member of the House Armed Services Committee who started a caucus on women in the military. Sanchez said she was "very disappointed" that the Defense Department didn't lift the ban on combat jobs for women.

Because service in combat gives troops an advantage for promotions and job opportunities, it has been more difficult for women to move to the higher ranks.

A 1994 Pentagon policy bans women from being assigned to ground combat units below the brigade level. A brigade is roughly 3,500 troops split into several battalions of about 800 soldiers each. Historically, brigades were based farther from the front lines and they often include top command and support staff, while battalions — now open to women — are usually in closer contact with the enemy.

In the past decade, the necessities of war propelled women into jobs such as medics, military police and intelligence officers, and they were sometimes attached — but not formally assigned — to battalions. So while a woman couldn't be assigned as an infantryman in a battalion going out on patrol, she could fly the helicopter supporting the unit, or move in to provide medical aid if troops were injured.

The new rules will formally allow women to work in those jobs at the battalion level. And they will also open up a number of Army jobs that had been closed to women, such as tank and artillery mechanics or rocket launcher crew members.

While the rules won't open up the Navy SEALs or the Army Delta Force to women, some defense officials have said the military may eventually be open to that.

Changes for women

ARMY: Among the jobs that will be opened to women for the first time are tank and armored troop carrier mechanic, artillery radar operator and rocket launcher crewmember.

NAVY: Minimal change. Eighty-eight percent of positions already are open to women. Existing restrictions are based mostly on the high cost of modifying submarines to provide privacy for women.

MARINE CORPS: No new jobs, such as tank driver, will be opened to women. But women will be allowed to perform already open jobs, such as supply officer, in units such as artillery battalions and tank battalions that had been closed.

AIR FORCE: Ninety-nine percent of positions already are open to women. The few remaining restrictions are in special operations forces and ground combat units.